10 Awesome Des Moines, IA, Suburbs to Consider Living In

Called by the nickname, “Hartford of the West,” Des Moines, IA, has become a destination for many people moving to the Midwest. With its proximity to nature, outstanding restaurants, and countless ways to spend your time, it shouldn’t come as a shock that roughly 212,000 people are living in Des Moines. 

If you’re looking to buy a home in the city, you’ll find that the median home sale price is $174,250, the average sale price per square foot is $170, and the housing market is somewhat competitive. Or if you’re considering renting an apartment in Des Moines, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment is $942.

But maybe Des Moines isn’t the right area for you to live in Iowa. We’ve collected 10 of the best Des Moines suburbs to consider moving to this year. And they’re all less than 25 minutes away from the city center, so you’ll be close enough to explore all of Des Moines’s best activities without living there.

#1: Windsor Heights

Median home price: $243,750 
Average sale price per square foot: $211 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 10 minutes
Windsor Heights, IA homes for sale
Windsor Heights, IA apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $243,750, Windsor Heights is the first Des Moines suburb on our list. Just about a 10-minute drive away from Des Moines, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to stroll along the Clive-Greenwood Trail and visit Colby Park.

#2: Norwalk

Median home price: $255,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $209 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,115 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 20 minutes
Norwalk, IA homes for sale
Norwalk, IA apartments for rent

Norwalk is the next Des Moines suburb on our list. Just about 20 minutes from Des Moines, you can walk or bike along the Des Moines Riverwalk in no time. Make sure to play golf at one of the three courses when living in this suburb of 12,800 people.

#3: Pleasant Hill

Median home price: $285,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $185 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 15 minutes
Pleasant Hill, IA homes for sale
Pleasant Hill, IA apartments for rent

Just 15 minutes away, you’ll find the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Even with a population of about 10,100, there are plenty of cool things to check out in Pleasant Hill. If you find yourself moving to the third suburb on our list, make sure to check out Doanes Park and Copper Creek Lake Park.

#4: West Des Moines

Median home price: $285,990 
Average sale price per square foot: $181 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,027 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 20 minutes
West Des Moines, IA homes for sale
West Des Moines, IA apartments for rent

A little more expensive than Pleasant Hill is the suburb of West Des Moines. About 68,700 people live in this Des Moines suburb, where you can explore the 260-acre Copper Creek Lake Park, shop at Jordan Creek Town Center, and take in the views at Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area.

#5: Ankeny

Median home price: $293,750 
Average sale price per square foot: $206 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,562 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 20 minutes
Ankeny, IA homes for sale
Ankeny, IA apartments for rent

20 minutes away from downtown Des Moines is Ankeny, another great suburb to consider moving to. With 67,900 people living in this town, Ankeny is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Des Moines without living in the city. In Ankeny, you can learn how to golf or brush up on your skills at one of the many golf courses, visit one of the parks and green spaces, or grab a bite at a local restaurant.

#6: Bondurant

Median home price: $314,990 
Average sale price per square foot: $221 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 20 minutes
Bondurant, IA homes for sale
Bondurant, IA apartments for rent

A recognizable Des Moines suburb is Bondurant, where the home prices are $314,990. With roughly 7,400 people calling Bondurant home, it’s a great area to consider living in. Make sure to visit one of the neighborhood parks while exploring this town.

#7: Altoona

Median home price: $321,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $207 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 20 minutes
Altoona, IA homes for sale
Altoona, IA apartments for rent

Next on our list of Des Moines suburbs is Altoona, which is roughly a 20-minute drive into the city center. With a population of nearly 19,600, living in Altoona is a great alternative to city life. Don’t miss out on spending the day at one of the parks like Greenway Park or Prairie Heritage Park, visiting Adventureland Resort during the summer season, or camping at Griff’s Valley View RV Park & Campground.

#8: Grimes

Median home price: $324,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $221 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $910 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 25 minutes
Grimes, IA homes for sale
Grimes, IA apartments for rent

If you’ve lived in or around Des Moines for some time, chances are you know of our eighth suburb – Grimes. This affordable area is home to close to 15,400 residents, so you’ll have a fraction of Des Moines’ population while remaining close to the city and its attractions.

#9: Urbandale

Median home price: $326,200 
Average sale price per square foot: $191 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 15 minutes
Urbandale, IA homes for sale
Urbandale, IA apartments for rent

Urbandale is a great place to consider living in that will get you access to downtown Des Moines in just about 15 minutes. Roughly 45,600 people live in this suburb, but there’s always something new to check out in Urbandale.

#10: Clive

Median home price: $337,299 
Average sale price per square foot: $185 
Driving distance from Des Moines: 15 minutes
Clive, IA homes for sale
Clive, IA apartments for rent

Claiming the 10th spot on our list of Des Moines suburbs is Clive. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in Des Moines in roughly 15 minutes. This suburb has a population of 15,400 and you can stroll along one of the trails like the Clive-Greenbelt Trail or the Des Moines Trail. There’s plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend while living in Clive.

Methodology: Whether a suburb was under a 25-minute drive from downtown Des Moines. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

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